Sort Of Original: 1967 Chevelle SS Convertible
Two words that usually put my Spidey-senses on high alert when it comes to car listings are “survivor” and “original”. It’s great when you find a vehicle that qualifies as either, and while there are still plenty of vintage rides in the marketplace that genuinely fall into these categories, the seller of this 1967 Chevelle SS Convertible says right off the bat that the car is all original. That’s followed by the statement that the “engine is original 396, 375HP,” and then the claim that “the car is basically as it came, original except for the paint”. You’ve probably guessed where this story is headed, but in any event, the car may be a decent candidate for restoration if you’ve got the skills to replace a frame. The Chevy is located in Dover, New Jersey, and can be seen here on eBay with the no-reserve bid currently sitting at $15,600.
So let’s go ahead and clarify one important issue. After the ad was posted on eBay, the seller went back and updated the listing and added for potential buyers to please be advised that the 396 is not the car’s original engine, but rather an original 396 cubic inch engine. According to the stamped numbers, the block is dated 1968, and the horsepower rating has been changed to 325. To his credit, some of the information has now been corrected, and that’s a huge plus. But there’s no word on whether or not the 396 is running, and no mention at all about the transmission, rear end, or anything else regarding the drivetrain.
The seller says that the car has been under the same ownership for the past 32 years, and has been sitting outside for 30 of those. There’s not a whole lot mentioned about the condition of the body, other than the hood is rotted and the driver’s side front fender is dented, and other than this one mishap the car has never been in any other accidents. Some good news is that the sale includes an original SS hood and another front fender, both of which are claimed to be in excellent shape.
Inside, the seats don’t look all that bad, but I’m guessing most things in there are probably going to need some sort of refreshing. We don’t get to see any photos from the underside, but the seller mentions that the car needs a frame and chassis, as the current components are rusted. Fortunately, we do get to see a picture inside the cargo area, and the trunk lid seems to be in considerably better shape than the hood, so maybe the body really is in decent overall condition once you get past the front. What are your thoughts on this 1967 Chevelle SS Convertible?
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Comments
Rusty ratchet on the engine could be a sign.
LOL! I didn’t even notice that till you pointed it out! Looks like a spark plug socket.
**Poof** Gone.
why post these when it ended 2 days ago according to the e-bay listing?
Makes me wonder when I see a malibu wood trim on the dash. Maybe the original was bad?
A frame needing replacement doesn’t bode well for the whole floor pan as well as many other body parts. ‘67 Chevelle SS396’s were hot cars and it’d be surprising to find original motors in the one’s still running. I had a ‘67 SS396 and loved the car, but it was stolen in St Louis n 1970 and found a day later in East St Louis minus wheels, engine, transmission, tools and personal items in the car. Insurance company was quick to total it. I bought it back, got it running and back on the road with a rebuilt 327 and 4 speed, driving it for another 2 years.
the block may have been 325 hp but the heads are from a 375 hp
Nom changes everything. A numbers 375 car would be gold. I had a 350 hp 4 Spd. Vert one of my favorites. A original 375 vert is way past rare folks…
This is an uber rare Canadian built 67 SS396 convertible. The full SS396 package only became available in Canada in November or December of 1966 (replacing the prior Canada-only “Malibu SS” model), so it was a partial year model. I have seen differing production figures, some as low as 50, some as high as 103. Either way, very very rare.
Seller sent me pics of the deck stamp. The block is a 68 Impala 396/325 (2-bolt main) that had a powerglide behind it. Square port heads alone do not make a 375 engine!
Per the trim tag the car was originally Marina Blue with a Bright Blue bench seat interior, 396/325 (since no other engine code is designated), and an M40 Turbo-400 trans (column shifted).
I was also told by someone knowledgeable on Canada cars that the T-12 on the tag means it came with a medium blue top originally. So “Triple Blue”!
Seller says someone told him how rare it is so he decided to keep it, which is why the auction ended early.
Probable sold in-person off-line & doesn’t want to pay e-bay fees. I don’t see why being rare in Canada would matter to a US buyer or owner. The only thing unique about this car is the Canadian tag itself. Heads made in late 67 so they were on a 68 car, so no original engine components here. Chevy in Michigan made approx. 3000 325 horse ss convertibles, so depends on what one considers rare. The 68 Chevelle ss convertible is rarer at around 2000 made.
forgot about the blue top, wonder how many Michigan made like that